Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-16

But though she did not say so, Lily
had; and when later, in her usual i'm
pulslvc way, she told John Holaway
how sorry she was that she had been so
rude to him, and then asked him frankly
whether he was not the kind friend who
had come so opportuncIy to her mothers
relief, his manner confirmed her suspi-
| cions,
1t is said that "gratitudc is ncighbor
to love-" and whether that be true Or
not it is certain that from that time the
manly young farmer was often in Lily's
thoughts, while Richard Blake was just
as steadily losing ground. But John, of
course, did not know it. lie was not one
TO wear his heart upon his sleeve, and at
length, after hard Struggle, had decd
cd to abandon his hopeless suit and
leave the field to that rival who evident
ly was the favored one. Lily appeared
TO notice the difference; but, woman
like, she did not appear to care, and so
the months went much the same, until
at length the crisis came.
The village in which our heroine lived
was Just on the shores Of little bay,
and many were the pleasure parties that
enjoyed trip over its lmpid waters.
One afternoon, Richard Blake, obtain
ing Mrs. Lawrcncc's consent, invited Lily
to take sail.
When they reached the beach, who
should be waiting in readiness to manage
the boat but John Hollaway.
"IIalIo, HoIlaway, are you turning
into boatman}' exclaimed Blake, in as
tonishmcnt.
Lifting his cap TO Lily, John answered,
! 'Not exactly; but Joe came to me in
great distress, saying he did not feel
well enough to 90 out, but had promised
not to disappoint you, and knowing l
could manage boat, he asked mo to
take his place. Joe has done me many
a good turn and SO could not refuse
him., " lie added, wrongfully interpreting
the little flush that hal risen in Lily's
| face rs she listened; "anl he said, too,
that it was your sister who was to be
your companion. Else | should not have
come; | would not for the world be a
mar-sport."
The bitterness in his tone touched a
like chord in Lily's heart. For some
little time back she had been slowly but
surely learning a lesson, the difference
between real worth and mere glitter; and
now her heart sank as she saw, or
thought she saw, how completely her
conduct had driven AL affection towards
her from Johns mind, and that she had
foolishIy thrown away her own happi-
ness.
'Wcll, uolIaway, Pm sure I'm much
obliged. It's very kind of you," was
BIakc's reply.
And the two young men soon had the
little craft in readiness for its fair
freight.
Blake had seen Johns liking for Lily,
but his vanity had not been aIarmcd he
knew by experience the power Of his
dark eyes, and Lily Lawrence was like
any other young lady if she were ten
times prctticr, So he reasoned.
They tloatcd lightly over the blue
water, anchoring after n while under q
bluff, and dropping their lines TO fish.
Lily chattcd gaily i'll her wn fasci-
mating way, and never had she seemed
more lovely in Richard Bakc's eyes,
while poor John, who had thought Of
late that he hal driven her image from
his mind, felt the old charm creeping
over him again stronger than ever be-
fore; but he hid his pain manIully and
kept his part in the lively conversation.
Time crcpt on, and just as they decided
on returning, to their sudden dismay
the heavens suddenly cloulcd over, and
a peel of thunder suddenly brought
them to their feet in alarm. Squalls
were not common upon the bay, but one
was evidently now upon thcm and John
saw the great danger A moment, and
they were dashing at n mad rate over
the waves, while overhead the awful
darkness gathered more ominously all
the while, and every now and then vivid
fl shes OF flame seemed to envelope them
on all sides. Suddenly there was 4
binding glar', then II terrific crash, and
half the mast dropped over the bows,
while the sails were dragging in the
SETTLING waters. For an instant John
was almost stunned; then his first
thought was Lily. Where was she1 A
second more and he caught the CLEAN
of yellow curls in the cruel waves among
tho tNttercd sails; the ropes had twisted
about her light figure and dragged her
over the bow.
lie sprang TO Blake's side.
"If she is to be yours it is you who
ought to save her. Quick or it will be
too late. Your chance will be gomez
But Blake still covered tremblingly
where he was, unhccding the peril of
the one he pro'cssed to love.
Another instant John was struggling
among the sails, few seconds of awful
suspense while the waves were tugging
savagcly at him, then weak, almost
! faintiup he crept back into the boa,